If you are trying to download something onto your computer, you might be a little concerned about who you can trust. This of course depends on the kind of download you are going through, but you need to know whom to trust overall. There is no way to guarantee that you’re getting a good download, but there are some things you can look for to ease your worries. Here are a few tips to help you find a trustworthy download.
Use CNET
CNET is a fantastic site with a ton of downloads to choose from. Consider this the Amazon of the download world. Every program on there has been reviewed by users and the editors, so you can see what kind of feedback other people are giving for it. If the feedback is bad, you know that the download isn’t worth the time. If it’s good though, you might want to give the program a shot. There are other sites out there like CNET, but that is the one that computer users trust the most. Choosing to use it is up to you.
Read Comments
This tip especially applies to people who download torrents. If you’re going to download something from another person online, at least take the time to read what other people have to say about it. A lot of torrent files have viruses in them, or they aren’t whatever they said they were going to be. If you read what other people have to say, you’ll probably be able to avoid a lot of crappy downloads. This does work for other programs too though, even ones from the manufacturer. The more you research, the better off you’ll be.
Use Strong Antivirus Software
Having good internet security is extremely important when you start downloading stuff to your computer. All it takes is one virus to completely destroy all of your files. If you have to download without being able to read reviews, crank your security up and cross your fingers. I use Kaspersky, and it will stop a download from occurring if it has any sort of malicious files in it. When you have no other alternatives, all you can do is protect yourself.
Follow these steps the next time you go to download a program, file, or system on your computer. You may still be at risk of getting a virus, but at least you’ll be semi-protected along the way.
Author Bio: Caleb Martin is a computer programmer with nearly 15 years experience. He writes about many of the adventures and follies found online. He recommends Technology Solutions of Utah.
